I know with Forums you can get a sense that this issue is a frequent occurance because that is why we have posted comments, but I wonder how many are affected by this issue, 1 in 10, 1 in 1000, 1 in 50,000? - I get slightly more worried when I hear someone has the same issue twice - unusually for Lightning to strike twice unless the obvious is true and there is a Quality issue. Mid-range performance is strong. The guitar strums that begin of Paris, Texas are piercing and resonant, setting a confident tone for the rest of the film. Music performance is similarly accomplished with a big, clean and detailed performance. The presentation of Elbow’s Some Riot edges towards ever so slightly bright in Music mode, but the Smart 9 refrains from harsh or shrill tones. In regards to control you can use the supplied remote to control things such as Volume, Bass, Middle, Treble and whichever input you want to be on, but it also has the ability for learning remote – meaning if you have an existing TV remote you can program it to control the DM60 in a few minutes. If you’re after a soundbase that both looks good and performs brilliantly, this Canton DM55 is definitely one you need to audition.

The whole thing is held together by the DM55’s excellent bass output. There’s a subwoofer pre-out if you have a spare woofer to call into action, but left on its own and the twin in-built drivers prove deep and potent, giving bass-rich moments ample scale and weight without overpowering the other speakers. The thud and hum of lightsabers in a forest clash is tight and beefy, and when the final act plays host to some truly destructive sequences this 2.1-channel soundbase has the presence to match. Another Nolan film, Interstellar, also got a workout, with the Smart 9 remaining just about composed in the face of Hans Zimmer’s overwhelming organ score, communicating plenty of that film’s intensity. The Canton DM55 soundbase replaces the terrific DM50, offering some new featuresand upgraded audio. It’s the smallest of three models from the German brand, alongside the DM75 and DM100, which are both designed for bigger rooms and TVs. Canton are a leading German loudspeaker company, so the DM55's superb sound comes as little surprise. Twin, soft dome tweeters are matched to 50mm midrange units to give exceptional vocal realism. Compared to the boxy and distorted sound of typical TV speakers, the DM55 sounds open, detailed and natural. Hear details that the TV's speakers simply glossed over or distorted. What I'm finding odd is that Canton list Dolby Digital and DTS in the specifications yet it clearly states in the instruction manual:As TVs get thinner, the laws of physics dictate that sound quality must get worse! There’s simply no room for decent speakers. Hence the rise in popularity of sound bars and bases. The difference between them is simply that sound bars usually sit in front of the TV whereas sound bases normally sit underneath the TV. However both have options for positioning them elsewhere. Please feel free to ask any questions in the comments below. I have both setup here, so should be able to answer any queries you may have on either system. Typically you’ll connect it in the exact same way as the Playbar. Again, I’ve connected it directly to the WD TV via the optical input. There isn’t really any setup although you can configure sound adjustments via the remote, all explained clearly in the manual. I found the default settings fine.

With its subtle high gloss top and semi gloss body, the DM55 takes sound base style to a whole new level. Despite its good looks, the DM55 will still hold TVs up to 40kg in weight - enough for all but the largest sets. A quality remote control is also included and, thanks to an IR learning function, is compatible with your TV's remote. Finally, a multifunction display keeps you informed of all the settings and adjustments made. Streaming is via aptX, which although still a lossy format, offers good sound reproduction. Streaming from Deezer, the sound was certainly no worse when comparing Bluetooth to an auxiliary port connection. In fact, I preferred the sound via Bluetooth, and the speaker was actually a fair bit quieter when wired directly to my iPhone (note: the audio is no longer synced when connected via the auxiliary port, so you need to adjust the volume on your mobile device and the speaker). Sonos Play:1, Canton Musicbox XS, Braven 705 (left to right) With three HDMI inputs, if you’re someone who needs to unclutter their AV set-up then the Canton can help simplify matters. On the front is a small LED display above a subtle Canton logo. The display only has room for three digits, which feels a little simplistic when dealing with some of the setup menu options but it’s fine otherwise. Thankfully it disappears when idle, leaving you with a blank fascia that doesn’t distract from the screen.At this price most folk will be looking for a decent, convenient improvement on their TV’s sound, rather than unit that’s overly cinematic – and you certainly get that with the DM5. This device sounds solid and authoritative, and shows none of the thin, fragile sound that often emanates from your TV. Most soundbars are looking at ways of getting height channels/virtual surround sound into their latest bars. If a more conventional performance is what you’re looking for then this Canton delivers that well. You shouldn’t buy the Canton Smart Soundbar 9 if…

The Canton Smart 9 isn’t hugely smart, either, with only Chromecast built-in. Everything else is effectively done off-board.Resist the urge to push the bass level up to 3 and you’ll enjoy seamless, non-directional bass that doesn’t sound boomy. Its natural agility and seamless integration keeps your eyes on the action, not the bass controls.

If you already have Sonos, or are considering it, and budget allows, I would go for the Playbar. But it’s rarely as simple as that! For its size, it’s capable of a large, expansive sound, which will put the performance of your TV’s speakers to shame. Its impressive low-end provides punch to action scenes, not to mention the fact it doubles as a pretty ballsy Bluetooth speaker. Thanks to both of you fro taking the time to help me with some of my issues, I look forward to any more comments or advice you may have. The Canton Digital Movie 55 is a 2.1-channel soundbar capable of delivering powerful audio output with its 200W RMS rated power. It features advanced audio decoders such as DTS TruSurround and Dolby Digital, which enhance the audio quality for an immersive viewing experience.The DM 55 goes further still by offering a powerful and extended bass response. Twin, downward firing 100mm woofer cones give this sound base depth and high volume dynamics that even other soundbars and sound bases struggle to match. This sound base gives you the sort of powerful, dynamic sound that you'd usually only expect from a separate amp and speaker system. For even more bass, simply connect up a sub via the dedicated output. The soundbar is equipped with two mid-range drivers, two tweeter drivers, and two woofer drivers. The tweeter drivers have a diameter of 1 inch (19mm), while the mid-range drivers measure 2 inches (50mm) in diameter. The woofer drivers have a diameter of 4 inches (100mm). These drivers work in harmony to reproduce clear highs, detailed mid-tones, and deep bass frequencies.